Big Game Fishing in the Northern Gulf of Mexico during 1993

摘要

Prior to the mid-1950's billfishes (i.e., blue marlin, Makaira nigricans; whitemarlin, Tetrapturus albidus; sailfish, Istiophorus platypterus; swordfish, Xiphias gladius; and longbill spearfish, Tetrapturus pfluegeri) were a relatively unrecognized resource by recreational anglers. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, while doing exploratory longline for tunas in the northern Gulf of Mexico, reported the occurrence of marlins and sailfish in their catches. This discovery prompted the advent of big game fishing in the Gulf. Fishing for billfishes gained popularity and resulted in big game fishing clubs being organized beginning in the early 1960's.